WisBiz Green Blog
Mid-America Alliance Provides New Leadership
WisBiz Green Blog
Mid-America Alliance Provides New Leadership
By Gregg Hoffmann
As the Trump Administration and others try to contract the federal government support for environmental and climate change efforts, new leadership is needed.
MidAmerica Clean Future Alliance has been developing ideas and programs and recruiting those new leaders. Based in Washington, Missouri, the Alliance MidAmerica is “dedicated to reducing pollution in middle America.
“We are on a mission to drive positive change in middle America by improving health in our communities while conserving natural resources and protecting the water we drink and the air we breathe,” according to the Alliance web site.
The Alliance includes more than a dozen partners, including Ducks UnLimited, Clean Green, the University of Georgia and others with histories of environmental involvement.
“We are committed to bridging the gap between ideas and implementation, empowering communities to achieve tangible environmental improvements,” reads the Alliance web site.
“Our work is grounded in pragmatism, authenticity, and tenacity, reflecting our belief that incremental change creates lasting impact. Through collaboration, honesty, and a relentless focus on achievable goals, we strive to reduce plastic pollution and inspire hope for a cleaner future.
“Our Vision is a resilient and sustainable future where every community has the tools, knowledge, and support to eliminate plastic waste, improve community health, protect natural resources, and create lasting environmental change. By uniting science with local action, we aim to transform the Mississippi River region into a global model for sustainable pollution mitigation and waste management, demonstrating the power of community-driven solutions to inspire change worldwide.”
The Alliance tries to build relationships with local governments, businesses, and organizations to maximize collective impact. Executive Director Jennifer Wendt is an environmental professional with over 30 years of experience, has a background in analytical chemistry and over a decade in municipal government. She empowers communities along the Mississippi River to reduce plastic pollution through collaboration and science-based solutions. Jennifer serves as Clean Water Director for the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI), where she leads the Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative.
Many of those who work with the Alliance share Wendt’s background of environmental work and local government involvement. In fact, this writer first was attracted to the Alliance as a blog topic when former La Crosse mayor Mitch Reynolds joined the Alliance as a program specialist.
Reynolds is the former mayor of La Crosse, and recent co-chair of the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI)—a coalition of 100+ communities along the Mississippi River. As mayor, Mitch championed sustainability, advancing carbon neutrality, reducing plastic pollution, and expanding equitable housing. He has a background in award-winning journalism and project management in sustainable building products and manufacturing.
He will work with the Alliance on plastic pollution and other issues with the Mississippi. “Excited to be working to build a better future with MidAmerica Clean Future Alliance!,” Reynolds said on LinkedIn. “I’ve become acquainted with Jennifer Wendt and the work she’s been doing for years. She’s put together a group that offers varied backgrounds in several areas.
“I’m sort of one of the governmental level people because of my background. The Alliance works on issues throughout the Midwest and especially in the Mississippi River Basin, which includes 32 states, 2 (Canadian) provinces and has a profound effect. Working in communities within the basin gives you a real opportunity to do something,” Reynolds said in a You Tube video.
The specific areas of concentration listed by the Alliance are: Recycling Initiatives, Plastic Use Reduction. Reuse Program. Local Government Assistance, Grant Writing & Management, and Engineering & Design.
Like many new organizations, the Alliance is seeking donors, partners and activists. You can contact the Alliance at: https://midamericacleanfuturealliance.org/contact-partner-with-us.
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